closet

American  

[kloz-it] / ˈklɒz ɪt /

noun

1. a small room, enclosed recess, or cabinet for storing clothing, food, utensils, etc.

2. a small private room, especially one used for prayer, meditation, etc.

3. a state or condition of secrecy or carefully guarded privacy.

   Some conservatives remain in the closet except on election day. Gay liberation has encouraged many gay people to come out of the closet.

4. water closet.

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adjective

1. private; secluded.

2. suited for use or enjoyment in privacy.

   closet reflections; closet prayer.

3. engaged in private study or speculation; speculative; unpractical.

   a closet thinker with no practical experience.

4. being or functioning as such in private; secret.

   a closet anarchist.

verb (used with object)

1. to shut up in a private room for a conference, interview, etc. (usually used in the passive voice).

   The secretary of state was closeted with the senator for three hours in a tense session.

closet British  

/ ˈklɒzɪt /

noun

1. a small cupboard or recess

2. a small private room

3. short for water closet

4. (modifier) private or secret

5. (modifier) suited or appropriate for use in private

   closet meditations

6. (modifier) based on or devoted to theory; speculative

   a closet strategist

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verb

1. (tr) to shut up or confine in a small private room, esp for conference or meditation

closet Idioms  

1. see come out of the closet; skeleton in the closet.

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Etymology

Origin of closet

1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French, Middle French, equivalent to clos close (noun) + -et -et

Example Sentences

“It was really common, if somebody came into the office, for us to spend 45 minutes hanging out in the Closet just talking about movies,” he recalls.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2025

Lawyer Aliyah Clarke and fashion designer Kaleen Sanois started a side business called 2nd Closet - a pop-up thrift shop where people can buy and sell pre-owned clothing.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2025

The fraught relationship with his mother was most starkly laid bare on one of his biggest hits, Cleanin' Out My Closet.

From BBC • Dec. 4, 2024

Pride Weekend at Rhein Haus: Kick off your pride weekend with electrifying drag brunch performances hosted by Anita Spritzer and featuring special guests Darienne Lake, Heidi N Closet and more!

From Seattle Times • May 31, 2024

We stopped at the bottom and took our time turning, then set off for Tucker’s Cult in a Closet.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

Related Words

• cabinet
• container
• locker
• room
• vault
• wardrobe